Our regular series, Curbed Comparisons, takes a dive into the options available for a certain price point in various neighborhoods. But today —a twist. We'll be looking at units between approximately $180,000 - $250,000, and only in Francisville. Because pretty soon, a whole lot of new construction is coming to the neighborhood in the first phase of a "workforce-housing" plan aimed at keeping city housing affordable for the middle class —"your teachers, your firefighters, your police officers, your true middle class that a neighborhood is built upon," says Brian Abernathy, executive director of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority.
This list of 10 affordable properties currently available in Francisville is a snapshot of what is available right now, before the initiative promises to bring approximately 100 workforce homes to Francisville, Point Breeze and Mantua.
"Essentially, today we're rolling out the first phase of a very aggressive plan to ensure affordability," City Council President Darrell Clarke said at the announcement from a vacant lot in the neighborhood this week.
The first phase, which will focus on bringing affordable housing first to Francisville, Point Breeze, and Mantua, is part of a larger initiative to create 1,000 rental and 1,000 ownerships for middle-income people in rapidly gentrifying neighborhoods. (A pilot program has already resulted in the city issuing five requests for proposals to build 77 homes in Point Breeze, Grays Ferry and Francisville, Clarke said).
Under the initiative, the City will give "developers city-owned vacant lots for nominal fees in exchange for building homes to be sold at below-market value to families with incomes between 80 to 120 percent of area median income." And we all know Philly has no shortage of vacant land to hand over.
The reduced prices for the new construction, as stipulated by the initiative, must be maintained for 10 years. And get this: the 10-year affordability period will "renew with any resale of a unit built under the initiative during the affordability period," officials said.
Before construction gets underway, let's take a look at what 'affordable housing' looks like in Francisville right now. Price range: $180,000 - $250,000.
↑This "compact" one-bedroom condo on Fairmount Avenue features a private deck, open living area and kitchen, and a "mechanical closet!" Asking $189,000 plus $90/mo in HOA fees. [1910 Fairmount Avenue]
↑ Asking $189,000, this three-bedroom, one-bathroom home is a solar energy efficient home that has been recently painted and has a new carpet. There is a back yard, and a washer and dryer. [1540 West Thompson Street]
↑ This three bedroom home was apparently a part of the very first Green solar project Philly ever completed. Per the listing: "the homes where built in the early 1980's in an effort to use technology and natural southern exposure to maximize efficiency." The property is asking $200,000, but if you're willing to spend a little more, the property can be purchased in a package deal with 2021 & 2009 N. 15th Street and 1219 Diamond Street. [1538 West Thompson Street]
↑ $209,900 will get you this one-bedroom, one-bath bi-level condo at the Carriage House Condominium. The building boasts an interior courtyard with fountain and lantern lighting throughout topped off by a glass-enclosed atrium. The unit features a slate-floored foyer and a renovated kitchen. [627-37 N 18th Street #103]
↑ You can buy this two-bedroom, one-bath condo for "as little as 3% down," says the listing. Asking $210,000 plus $150/mo in HOA fees, the one-story unit features Whirlpool appliances, an expansive great room, and a stackable washer and dryer. Important: there are phone jacks in the bathrooms. [1733 Ridge Avenue #1]
↑ This second floor one-bedroom, one-bath condo is asking $219,900 plus relatively low HOA fees - $75/month. The new construction features a balcony, a 47' long floor plan, custom mocha shaker cabinets, hardwood flooring, and high efficiency state of the art ductless heater/heatpump/central air units. [823 North 15th Street, Unit B]
↑ This two-bedroom, two and a half-bath condo is asking $220,000 plus $150 in condo fees per month. Located in the same building as the two-bedroom, one-bath above, you can purchase this property for as little as 3% down. It's a two-story unit, and there's shared storage in the basement of the building. [1733 Ridge Avenue #3]
↑ Same building as above, this two-bedroom, one and a half-bath unit is asking $230,000, and boasts 1,288 square feet of living space. [1733 Ridge Avenue #2]
↑ (Photo via Google Street View - address approximate). Per the listing, this unit is one-bedroom, one-bath residence asking $239,900. [1815 Wylie Street, 3F]
↑ Per the listing for this $250,000 property: "owner says sell in AS-IS-CONDITION this nice 4 bedroom townhouse located in this desirable area." (Photo via Google Street View). [1648 West Stiles Street]
· Affordable-housing plan moving ahead [Philly.com]
· New Land Bank RFP Puts Horse Back in Front of Cart [Curbed Philly]
· Curbed Philly Francisville coverage
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